As Secretary General, Baguma is expected to focus on strengthening governance and organisational effectiveness, improving financial sustainability, deepening strategic partnerships, empowering branches and volunteers, and increasing measurable humanitarian impact among vulnerable communities across Uganda.
The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has appointed Naphtal Baguma as its new Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Robert Kwesiga.
Baguma will officially assume the position on March 1, 2027, following his appointment by the Central Governing Board after a selection process aimed at identifying a leader with the experience and capacity to steer the Society into its next phase of growth and humanitarian impact.
Baguma is a seasoned humanitarian and institutional leader with more than 20 years of professional experience across the humanitarian, public and private sectors. He has also spent more than a decade in senior leadership positions within the Uganda Red Cross Society.
Before his appointment, Baguma served as Director of Supply Chain and Estates Management at URCS, where he provided executive leadership in procurement, logistics, fleet management, warehousing, estates and asset management.
In the role, he worked closely with Government, Parliament, donors, and Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners. He also contributed to strategic planning, resource mobilisation, partnership development, governance and institutional decision-making.
Baguma holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Governance and Finance from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, a Master of Business Administration (Management) and a Bachelor of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
He also holds professional qualifications including MCIPS and Certified Procurement Professional (CPP), and has undertaken executive leadership programmes at Harvard Business School and Strathmore University.
Before joining Uganda Red Cross, Baguma held senior positions with the USAID-Mildmay Uganda Programme, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Nation Media Group, among other institutions.
The Red Cross Board said his experience in institutional systems, donor compliance, project management, public-sector governance, financial stewardship, procurement and strategic partnerships will strengthen the Society’s operations.
As Secretary General, Baguma is expected to focus on strengthening governance and organisational effectiveness, improving financial sustainability, deepening strategic partnerships, empowering branches and volunteers, and increasing measurable humanitarian impact among vulnerable communities across Uganda.
The Board also commended outgoing Secretary General Robert Kwesiga for his dedicated service and contribution to the growth and transformation of the Uganda Red Cross Society.
Kwesiga was particularly recognised for leading the organisation during challenging periods and supporting a smooth transition to the new leadership.
The Central Governing Board has called on URCS members, staff, volunteers, partners and other stakeholders to support Baguma as he assumes leadership. The transition will be guided by a structured handover and onboarding process intended to ensure continuity of programmes and operations.
The Society congratulated Baguma on his appointment and wished him success as he prepares to lead the organisation into what it described as its next chapter of service, integrity, sustainability and humanitarian impact.
